Senior sprint football running back LaQuan McKever attempts to break out of a tackle during the Penn alumni game on Sept. 11.
Credit: Ana GlassmanAfter a devastating loss at Army in the team's first official game of the season, Penn sprint football redeemed themselves at Mansfield. The Quakers (1-1) secured the team's first victory with a dominant 55-28 win at Mansfield.
Senior running back Laquan McKever had an especially outstanding Saturday night against the Mountaineers.
Only two-and-a-half minutes and a quick five-play, 73-yard drive into the game, McKever rushed four yards straight into the end zone to give the Quakers an early lead of 7-0. Then, in the red zone, he found another hole late in the first quarter and rushed six yards for a score, increasing the Red and Blue lead to 14-0.
McKever found pay dirt again early in the second quarter with a four-yard rush after a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty by the Mounties, bringing the Red and Blue’s lead to 21-0. In the team's first four drives in the first half, McKever had already scored three touchdowns.
While that was his last touchdown of the night, he continued to make great contributions throughout the game. On the Red and Blue's fifth drive, McKever rushed into the red zone to set junior quarterback Andrew Paolini up to complete a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Ben Klaus and increase their lead to 28-7 before the end of the half.
All in all, McKever carried the ball 28 times for 152 yards and three touchdowns in his big night. Next up, the Red and Blue take on Cornell (0-1) at Franklin Field at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8.
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